From JEFF WHEELDON
If Francis Slakey, an American adjunct professor of physics, has not
the wit to reason out the purpose of the hole in the doughnut (Forum, 11
September) then what chance have we humble artisans of a reasoned chance
of survival? Ignorance of the elementary, it seems, is often coupled with
elevation to high places.
I remember my mother explaining the function of the hole to me at about
the time I failed my 11+ examination; some 45 years ago. The doughnut is
apparently cooked quickly in very hot fat. The centre of the ball of dough
is removed to allow the heat to be transferred quickly to the core of
the now toroidal shape thus preventing a large, undercooked mass in the
centre.
No doubt there are effective formulae for the function, but this reasoned
explanation should convince Professor Slakey of the perfection of his proof
of his own thesis, ‘Ignorance, it seems, is our destiny’.
Jeff Wheeldon Seaton, Devon
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